Creighton Bluejays vs North Dakota Fighting Hawks Picks and Predictions November 19th 2025

Game Preview North Dakota @ Creighton

Creighton continues its early-season push for deeper, more consistent contributions as it returns to CHI Health Center Omaha to host the Creighton Bluejays. With six players averaging at least nine points per game, Creighton’s offense has been one of the most balanced in the Big East through its first three contests. The Bluejays’ depth showed again in their 84–45 win over Maryland Eastern Shore, though a loss in the rankings on Monday highlights that voters still want more evidence.

Jasen Green and Blake Harper both scored 14 points in the win. Green, who missed the season opener with a concussion, elevated his play in the second half, scoring 12 of his points as Creighton pulled away. He leads the team with 11.5 points per game, with Nik Graves (11.3) and Harper (11.0) close behind in what has become a well-distributed attack.

Head coach Greg McDermott remains firm in demanding accountability from his rotation. The Bluejays have depth, but McDermott notes that only players who meet the team’s defensive and effort standards will see extended minutes. That focus on consistency becomes especially important for a team looking to reenter the AP Top 25.

Transfers Owen Freeman (10.0 ppg), Josh Dix (9.3), and Jackson McAndrew (9.0) round out a group capable of producing offense from multiple spots. Creighton’s ability to score efficiently across positions creates matchup issues for opponents lacking depth or defensive versatility.

The North Dakota Fighting Hawks enter 2–3 but carry momentum from a program-record 128-point performance against Mayville State and a 76–74 win over UC Riverside. Greyson Uelmen has been central to their early-season surge, posting 14 points in the record-setting win and scoring 18 against Riverside, including the game-winning layup. Anthony Smith III and Marley Curtis have also stepped up, with Curtis knocking down three threes in his 15-point outing.

North Dakota’s offensive profile suggests they can keep pace in stretches, but the challenge of facing Creighton’s efficiency and size on the road is significant. Given the large spread, bettors evaluating this matchup must consider pace, shot quality, and the likelihood of Creighton rotating heavily in the second half.

Understanding how pace and efficiency interact with large spreads is easier with fundamentals explained in the point spread guide and deeper insights found in the alternate total points breakdown.

Odds and Key Information

Current lines and movement can be tracked on the NCAAB odds and scores board. Creighton enters as a large home favorite at roughly -25.5, with a total set near 157.5. The moneyline is heavily skewed toward the Bluejays, reflecting a sizable talent and depth disparity.

Betting markets tend to adjust quickly with large favorites, making tools such as the How Do Betting Odds Work explainer and the understanding moneyline betting guide useful for interpreting where value may exist.

Creighton Outlook

Creighton’s offensive identity centers around shooting efficiency, ball movement, and lineup flexibility. Their 59.4 percent efficiency on two-point attempts shows the team’s ability to create high-quality interior looks. Harper’s rebounding and Green’s ability to score in transition and half-court sets give Creighton multiple paths to offensive success.

Depth is both Creighton’s advantage and its ongoing variable. McDermott’s standard of daily competitiveness means rotational minutes are earned rather than guaranteed. While this fosters accountability, it also produces shifts in usage depending on matchups and in-game performance.

Creighton’s defense has shown improvement, holding Maryland Eastern Shore to just 45 points. But maintaining that defensive standard remains a priority for a program that aims to push into the elite tier of the Big East.

Bettors examining Creighton’s consistency may find value in frameworks like the Handicap in Betting guide and momentum-based insights from the Live Betting breakdown, especially for large spreads involving deep rotations.

Injury Report

No major injuries reported. Rotations remain performance-based.

North Dakota Outlook

North Dakota’s offensive strength lies in its ability to push tempo and create scoring volume. Averaging 84.2 points per game, the Fighting Hawks generate a high number of shot attempts and convert at a strong 48 percent rate. Their success on the road, which includes a 1–1 record, reflects that they have shown poise in competitive moments despite early losses.

Uelmen’s emergence complements the scoring consistency of players such as Eli King and Garrett Anderson. Curtis provides spacing, while Smith III adds a steady complementary scoring presence. Their high shot volume and transition scoring give them a path to keeping games within striking distance, even against heavy favorites.

Key challenges lie in defensive discipline and closing defensive possessions. North Dakota must limit second-chance points and avoid prolonged scoring droughts. Against a Creighton team that moves the ball well and punishes defensive lapses, North Dakota’s margin for error is slim.

For bettors, tools such as the Sports Betting for Beginners guide and variance explanations from the Winning Margin Meaning breakdown inform how North Dakota’s offensive tempo translates into betting value.

Injury Report

North Dakota reports no major injuries.

Key Matchup Table

Key Factor	Edge
Shooting Efficiency	Creighton
Backcourt Depth	North Dakota
Rebounding	Creighton
Tempo	North Dakota
Defensive Consistency	Creighton

Betting Trends

Creighton has excelled as a home favorite and maintains a perfect record in Omaha this season. Their combination of efficient two-point scoring, depth, and defensive structure supports strong performance against lesser opponents. With six players averaging at least nine points, Creighton’s balanced scoring reduces reliance on a single player.

North Dakota, however, has shown scoring bursts capable of stressing opposing defenses. Their ability to generate 128 points earlier in the season reflects pace and confidence, though competition levels vary significantly. On the road, maintaining that pace against Creighton’s defensive organization becomes a major test.

Bettors can contextualize these trends with insights from the NBA Expert Betting Guide, long-term modeling tools from the Futures Betting Pros and Cons article, and tournament projections from the March Madness Bracket Betting overview.

Predictions

Projected Score: Creighton 92, North Dakota 75
Spread Pick: North Dakota +25.5
Total Lean: Under, expecting Creighton’s pace control to limit possessions.

Why You Need Expert Picks

This matchup presents a clear difference in roster depth, scoring efficiency, and defensive reliability. Creighton’s interior strength and balanced scoring give them a decisive advantage, but large spreads require precise evaluation. North Dakota’s shot volume and offensive tempo create opportunities for backdoor covers, especially if Creighton rotates heavily in the second half.

Expert projections available on the Handicappers Leaderboard help bettors navigate large spreads by evaluating possession estimates, lineup efficiencies, and tempo projections. Broader season forecasts from tools like the John Wooden Award Odds breakdown and the College Basketball Championship Odds analysis offer additional context.